More details have emerged of how the government intends to recoup unpaid water charges.

Potential new laws will see Irish Water have the power to go to the District Court for an attachment order, in a process that's expected to work more quickly than regular court proceedings.

If its granted, the order would see outstanding charges deducted from someone's salary or benefits before they're paid out.

According to newspaper reports today, the charge could also be registered against the property, so that it couldn't be sold without the debt being paid.

Ministers have refused to play down the comments, but say no proposals have yet been brought to cabinet.

A new Water Services Bill has been promised for some time, but its contents will now not be approved by the cabinet before April - when the first bills are due to arrive.

Opposition leaders say the scheme is untenable - and a further sign that water charges should be abolished entirely.

Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly filed this report for Today FM's National Lunchtime News: